Setting up camp.

23 Jun 2010

The magical Kids field opens at 12.00 today!

We had a good drive to Glastonbury and no problem finding and paying for public parking. We thought it was great that the sun was shining as we loaded up with our camping gear and set off on our first trip into the Festival site. It was very hot indeed and we had to make many stops for rest and water as we trudged through one unfamiliar campervan field after another. Unfortunately we seemed to hit one of the busiest times and got stuck in huge crowds every time the procession had to cross a road. I’ve driven those roads on pharmacy business on several festivals, and never imagined the anguish I might be causing the pack horse pedestrians. At one point we were only able to shuffle forward about one yard every 15 minutes! Once we got to Gate C, however, we were all quickly through, got our bearings and headed up past the Acoustic Stage towards the family camping area.

The Pyramid with Glastonbury Tor

We’d been warned by friends that, even on this Wednesday lunchtime, it was already pretty full but the family all managed to get camped up near each other and not too far from our other friends. It had taken us almost three hours for our first trip from the car to the camping ground and, although we were exhausted we knew we had another two return trips. We didn’t care though. We were back in familiar territory with no deadlines and that strange, fuzzy Green Time that works at Glastonbury instead of normal time passing. The children were getting glimpses into the Kids Field, an area as big as some Festivals, set aside for childrens play. From the family camping area we can see a fairytale castle, a helter-skelter and we know there’s facepainting and a constant supply of childrens entertainment lined up for their own Glasto experience.

After chatting to James at the Medicine Man pharmacy we were fitted at the office with ‘workers’ wristbands which would allow us in behind some of the gates for our pharmacy work. At dusk, the girls took a final trip to the car and I took the children for a short wander before bed, both to tire them out and to let them see what they were in for.

Glastonbury's 40th Birthday!

It was was wonderful to be back and I kept stopping to take in the views of the colourful tented township springing up around me. The pyramid stage is still empty but stands boldly, not only against the colours of the other Big Tops and Stages, but also against the historical backdrop of Glastonbury Tor silhouetted behind it. This is Glastonbury Festivals 40^th Birthday and the Pyramid is proudly flanked with 1970 and 2010, tonight lit up only by the sunset.

I can hear the noise of the crowd but I know I’m going to follow the children to the land of sleep shortly. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Sweet dreams.

Jim.

Only Wednesday & the huge site is filling up.

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